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No. 626,283. Pat'ntod lune s, 1899. K. E. LANDAU.

LIFE PRESERVER.

(Application filed Sept. 24, 1898.)

{No Model.) I

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Nrrnb STATES PATENT @FFICE.

KATHERINE E. LANDAU, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 626,283, dated June 6, 1899.

Application filed September 24, 1898- Serial No. 691,759. (No model.)

To all, whom it 72mg; concern:

Be it known that I, KATHERINE E. LANDAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to life-preservers,and more especially to life-preservers adapted to be inflated and fastened below the arms of the wearer.

The object 'of this invention is to furnish a life-preserver comparatively cheap, simple to operate, and having additional features and functions which capacitate it for extended use in the case of shipwreck or similar exposure.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which like letters of reference denote like parts, and in which- Figure l. is a plan view of the improved lifc preserver. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 2 2; Fig. 3, a sectional view of Fig. l on the line 3 3; Fig. 4, a sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 4 i, and Fig. 5 a sectional view of Fig.1 on the line 5 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Ais the life-preserver, which is tubular in crosssection and preferably composed of rubber, rubber and canvas, or other waterproof material and is circular in form, providing a circular interior space 13 centrally. The lifepreserver is passed about the. body of the wearer approximately below the arms and tied or buckled snugly against the body by the ends C of tapes or straps 0, attached to the life-preserver and surrounding the circular interior space E. Bellows D are mounted on the exterior curve of the life-p'reserver approximately on a diametrical line passing through the center of the circular space E by means of tacked and stitched or otherwisefastened strips D, the nozzles D of the bellows projecting into the interior of the tubu- These bellows are of any suitable form, but preferably of the ordinary two-faced compressible pattern, having a flap-Valve and vent D in the upper face and operating lever'arms D" at the outer end. These bellows are designed to inflate the life-preserver and are so arranged that the wearer can operate one at either side.

Between the bellows D and on the same side of the diametrical line in which the bellows are mounted, as the ends 0 of the tapes or straps O, is mounted an elastic waterproof receptacle E, being stitched, tacked, or otherwise fastened at the lower portion to the upper curve of the tubular life-preserver A, as at E. The receptacle E may extend beyond the periphery of the life-preserver A and be adapted to rest upon the water and is preferably ovally rounded in form to avoid splashing of contacting water. Resting 011 the water thus the receptacle E may be kept cool by the Water. In the upper side of the receptacle is an upwardly-extending purseshaped mouth E preferably lined with an elastic strip E which tends to keep the mouth E closed. This receptacle is adapted to receive food, valuables, or other substances, and the purse-shaped elastic mouth prevents the entrance of water normally and during insertion of the hand into the receptacles.

Between the receptacle E and the farthest adjacent bellows D, that it may be conveniently placed with respect to the hands of the life-preserver wearer, is another receptacle or pair of receptacles F, similar in construction and method of attachment to the lifepreserver A, excepting that the body is approximately bottle-shaped and the mouth or opening at the outer end has a hollow plug F threaded exteriorly and fitted with a screwcap F The receptacle F is designed to hold milk,water, whisky, or other stimulant or beverage. Two of these receptacles F are shown in Fig. 1.

Between the receptacles E and F, arranged with respect to the face of the wearer of the life-preserver, is a wave-deflector G, comprising two parts or sides G G hinged at top and bottom G and fitting at their center portions, which are coneavely cut away for the purpose about the exterior curve 'of the lifepreserver, as at G G bear exteriorly eyes H, which are adapted to receive hooks H, secured to the upper and lower curve of the life-preserver A. Any suitable fastening means may, however, be sub- These deflector sides G me stituted for the above. Fixed to the exterior curve of the life-preserver, between the sides G and G of the deflector, is a socket J, into which a mast K may be stepped, and said mast K preferably is jointed at or near its middle portion, as at K, and bears a triangular sail L, which may be folded and placed with the disjointed mast between the sides of the deflector G. The sail L may have eyes L and cords or sheets L which may be fastened to eyes L secured to the life-preserver A. This sail L may be used for moderate propulsion or for steadyin g the life-preserver and wearer.

A lantern M is removably secured to the upper curve of the life-preserver by means of cleats or a socket M, and acts as a guide to searching parties when the life-preserver is used in shipwrecks. It is preferably made as waterproof as possible.

It is evident that many changes may be made in the details of construction of this device without departing from the spirit of my invention, and'I reserve the right to make all such alterations in said construction as fairly come-within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A pneumatic life-preserver, comprising an annular tubular. waterproof body, means for inflating the same attached thereto and means consisting of vertical wings or plates for deflecting the waves from the said lifepreserver, substantially as shown and described.

2. A pneumatic life-preserver, comprising an annular tubular waterproof body, bellows approximately diametrically opposite, connected with said body and communicating with the interior'thereof,.a line connecting them dividing the said body into approximately two equal segmental parts, means for securing said life-preserver about the body, consisting of tapes terminating on one side of said diametrically connecting line, and on the same side of.said line, a food-receptacle, a liquid-receptacle and means for deflecting the waves from the face and body of the wearer of the life-preserver, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with a life-preserver, constructed as herein described, of vertically projecting wings arranged to deflect the waves, substantially as shown and described.

4. A pneumatic life-preserver, comprising an annular tubular waterproof body, means for inflating the same attached thereto, and means consisting of vertical hinged wings extending below and above said life-preserver for deflecting the waves from the said lifepreserver, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination .with a life-preserver provided with a tubular body portion, of a wave-deflector comprising two hinged plates, the free edges of which are cut away to fit vsaid body portion, and devices secured to said body portion and said plates for removably attaching said wavedefiector to said body portion, substantially as shown and described. V

6. The combination with a life-preserver of the class described, provided with a body portion having'a socket-piece, of a collapsible mast adapted to fit said socket-piece, a triangular sail secured at the upper corner to said mast, the lower corners being provided with sheets or cords, and devices secured to said life-preserver and to which said cords are adapted to be secured, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 23d day of September, 1898.

KATHERINE E. LANDAU.

Witnesses:

F. A. STEWART, V. M. VosLER. 

